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Kerstin Smutny To Test at Hickory
University of Nevada at Las Vegas Student to Get Behind the Wheel of Late Model

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 30, 2010)- Activ8 Development driver Kerstin Smutny is set to test Late Models at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, N.C., on Tuesday, August 31.

Smutny, a veteran road course racer, is looking forward to the challenge of driving Late Models cars.

"The VW Jetta TDI Cup cars are the largest cars that I have driven thus far in my career. The Late Model cars are even larger than the VW Cup cars, so I think using momentum and being smooth are going to be key in driving these Late Model cars."

Smutny was one of only two women selected to participate in the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, where she had the opportunity to race at a handful of the most prestigious road courses in the United States.

The 20-year-old driver's experience is not limited to just road courses. Prior to the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, Smutny raced midget cars on oval tracks, and she believes she can put that experience to good used during her test.

"I have raced mostly on road courses in go-karts and formula cars," said Smutny."In 2008, however, I raced a full-size midget and I think Hickory Motor Speedway will be similar to some of the tracks I drove on."

Even during Smutny's time away from the track, she is never really that far from the track. Smutny's day job includes being a driving instructor for a stock car racing school in her home base of Las Vegas.

"Being an instructor at the Richard Petty Driving Experience will help me with my transition into stock cars," explained Smutny. "Although the tracks are a lot larger than those I will be racing in late models, it still gives me some quality time behind the wheel of a stock car and I am able to get used to the size of the car and power under the hood."

This summer Smutny was busy in the classroom at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas where she is studying International Business. She also used her off-time from competing on the track this summer to learn and hone other skills that would help her next time she suits up for a race. Smutny uses her 125 cc Shifter Kart as a tool to keep in shape.

"Using the kart to keep in shape and my fitness are very important to me because racing is a very athletic sport," said Smutny. "A stock car is a challenging car to drive and I want to do whatever I can to be at the top of my game."

About Kerstin Smutny
Kerstin Smutny was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington where grew up racing Midget cars all over the Northwest. Since that time Smutny has traveled all over North America, as well as parts of Europe, racing everything from Midget cars, Volkswagen TDI Jetta Cup Cars, to Formula BMW cars. Smutny has set her sights on making an impact in the world of stock cars next.